Aerosol reclassifier



June 24, 1958 c. A. NORGREN 2,840,185

AEROSOL RECLASSIFIER Filed May 5, 1955 INVENTOR.

United States Patet Office AEROSOL RECLASSIFIER Carl A. Norgren, Denver, Colo., assignor to C. A. Nor- .gren Co., a corporation of Colorado Application May 3, 1955, Serial No. 505,785 6 Claims. (Cl. 18S-79) This invention relates to an aerosol reclassifier and more particularly to a device for reclassifying liquid particles of an aerosol by causing the particles to coalesce into larger liquid particles.

This application is a continuation in part of a copending application of C. A. Norgren and D. G. Faust, Serial No. 240,916 filed August 8, 1951, now abandoned. Finely divided liquid can be carried `through long lengths of tubing in an air stream so that lubricant placed in an air stream in the form of fog is easily conveyed to a point of use. The best use of the lubricant, however, is made if the fog is reclassified to larger liquid particles or drops.

Several mechanical means may be used to cause fog particles, as for example a lubricant, .to reclassify. Adhesion of the fog particles on a surface may result in coalescence producing drops of the liquid. Any action which will produce larger liquid particles is desirable in a reclassier since the larger particles will more readily separate themselves from the air stream. Among the actions which will produce reclassification are pronounced changes of velocity or direction in the fiow of the aerosol as well as variations of velocity in a common stream. Under the latter circumstances, coalescence occurs because of the difference in the friction-inertia ratio of droplets of different size. Coalescence can also be caused by impingement of the liquid particles upon the surface. Adhesion of the particles to the surface generally will be accompanied by some coalescence. The impingement may be produced by direct flow against a surface or by centrifugal force applied to the aerosol. It has also been found that passage of the aerosol through a long small passage causes the liquid particles to adhere to the walls and coalesce.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide a new and improved aerosol reclassifier.

Another object is to produce a reclassifier which may produce any desired Vamount of reclassification of a given aerosol.

A further object is to provide a reclassifier structure utilizing several means of reclassification.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a fragmentary sectional view through the center of a reclassifying device of this invention installed in position for use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view through a reclassifier similar to that illustrated in Figure l showing fragmentarily the bearing to which the reclassified liquid is c-onducted as well as the tubesupplying the aerosol to the reclassier;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through a reclassifier of the invention showing a slightly modified form;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the reclassifier illustrated in Figure 3 taken substantially along line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view throughthe reclassifier illustrated in Figure 3 taken substantially along line 5-5 in Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a section View through another form of the reclassifier embodying the invention.

While I have shown and will describe certain embodimentsof my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims. f

The particular embodiments chosen for purposes of illustrating the invention are intended for use in reclassifying lubricant which may be conveyed to machine bearings, gears, chains or similar machine elements. The lubricant is an oil which is atomized into a very finely divided state so that the particles are generally 2 microns (.0O007874") or less in diameter. In order that the lubricant be best utilized for its intended purposes, it is preferred that the very small particles be reclassified into larger liquid particles so as to Wet the surface which they are t0 lubricate.

As best illustrated in Figure l, the reclassifier comprises a body 10 in the form of a fitting equipped with external threads 11 which may be easily installed intoa tapped an-d threaded hole 12 in a machine to-ol part 13. The inlet end of the body may also be equipped with eX- ternal threads 14 to provide a means of securing there classifier to a tube or line carrying the raerosol to the machine tool. The central section 15 `of the -body is providedwith wrench fiats for ease in handling.

The interior of the reclassifier is provided ,with a stepped bore having its largest diameter portion 16 at the entrance end as indicated by the arrow 17, a smaller intermediate bore 18, a still smaller intermediate bore 19 and a jet passage 20 at the exhaust end of the fitting.

Aerosol introduced to the fitting will be reclassified therein and a desired amount of the liquid particles will be `discharged through the jet portion 20 of the bore into a lubricant passage 21 formed in the machine tool bearing or to some other point of use.

The reclassierof the present invention utilizes several means of causing reclassification. Each embodiment of the invention has a plug element 22 mounted within the bore of the fitting. This plug element is equipped with a spiral thread 2.3 which -closely fits Withinv the bore 18 so as to divide the bore into a plurality of helically shaped elongated passages of narrow width.

As best illustrated in Figure 2, the incoming fog 24 under about l pound pressure first moves into the large` bore 16 and comes in contact with a nose portion 25V in the plug element 22. Some of theparticles impinge upon this surface and collect into larger particles which are led by the slope of the nose into one or the other of the small passages 26 formed between the threads 23 on the plug element. At approximately the same time,'some of the fog will strike and impinge upon a shoulder 27 between the larger bore 16 and the adjacent bore 1.8. Some reclassification will occur at this point. As the aerosol enters the helical passages formed between the threads 23, a centrifugal action results since the aerosol must increase its velocity measurably in passing through these passages. Consequent reclassification occurs because of the adhesion of the liquid particles on the ,wall surfaces andV because of the difference in velocities' within the stream. At this pointthere also have been changes` the threads on the plug element has some liquid :particles which generally adhere as a vfilm 28 on the sides of the bore 19 and some of the aerosol will still be infog Patented June 24, 1958 l 3 form. A shoulder 37 between the bores 18 and 19 is in the path of the fog leaving the` elongated passages be-l tween the threads. This causes additional reclassification by impingement of the aerosol on the shoulder 37.`

V30 of sloping character between the jet and the bore permits the liquid film to easily pass into the jet.

The particular thread element on the plug member may be `of any desired form commensurate with ease of manufacture. A square thread is` illustrated in Figure 2, however, a V-thread, Acme or round bottom thread could be used. A single threador multiple thread can be chosen as indicated by theI particular requirements for lubricant in given situations.

In Figure 3, a slight modification is shown over that illustrated in Figure 2. A bafile plate 33 is placed within the bore 19 so as to divide the bore into two elongated passages -34 and 35 leading downwardly to the transverse section 30. As the swirling aerosol leaves the elongated passages between the threads, it impinges upon the baflie plate 33 causing additional reclassification by impingement, change of velocity, and a change in direction of ow. The baie plate also causes a very pronounced velocity change between the chambers on either side of it and the velocity in the jet 20.

In Figure 6, a further modification is illustrated wherein the plug element has a hemispherical nose portion 25a instead of the cone shaped nose portion 25 illustrated in the otherfembodiments. Here also the bore 19 is considerably shorter in length whereas the lower portion of the bore 18 is provided with an outwardly extending helical thread 36 which forms a baie with cooperating helical thread 38 on the plug element. In forming the plug element, the helical thread is cut in the periphery and then the lower thread 38 is machined off so that it does not touch the wall of the bore 18. The thread 36 is cut in the wall of the bore and is positioned relative to the thread balies sothat they are alternately spaced one from the other.y The aerosol passing through the helical passages between Vthe threads 23 at theiupper end of the plug element may enter between surfaces of the helical path and pass over and between the baliies in a series of violent direction changes. This action thus causes additional reclassification.

By combining the various forms of the invention herein illustrated, any desired amount of reclassification of liquid particles of an aerosol may bel accomplished. The particular lubricating requirements, of a given condition must be `taken intok account in determining how much reclassification is desired and then the proper structure used in the reclassifier to obtain that specific amount. The present reclassifier utilizes a great number 'of rnechanical means for obtaining reclassification and therefore is very efficient.

I claim:

1. An aerosol reclassifier comprising, a body having a bore therethrough adapted to conduct an aerosol toward a place of use, a plug element mounted within said bore `intermediate its ends with at least a portion of its outer i dimension closely fitting` 'within the bore, and said plug element having elongated grooves extending in helical fashion about its periphery dividing the bore into a plurality `of relatively long, narrowV passages for promoting reclassification of `liquid aerosol particles as the aerosol passes through said helical grooves, said bore in the body having a portion at both ends of the plug element larger than the grooves to provide for pronounced changes in the velocity of the aerosol entering and leaving the grooves so as to further reclassify the aerosol 4 l particles and an outlet at one end of the bore smaller than said bore portions to form a jet to direct the aerosol against a surface to be lubricated.

2. The aerosol reclassifier of claim l wherein a baie plate intermediate the plug element and the jet divides the bore into two longitudinally extending chambers, so that swirling aerosol leaving said helical passages may impinge upon the plate and change flow velocity and direction to further reclassify liquid aerosol particles.

3. An aerosol reclassifier comprising, arbody having a stepped bore therethrough having at least three sections, the largest section being at the inlet to the body with the other sections being progressively smaller, a shoulder between said largest section and the adjacent section, a plug element within said adjacent section and having helical threads thereon dividing the bore into a plurality of elongated helical passages, and a central nose portion on the plug for directing aerosol into the helical passages, said shoulder, nose portion and helical passages each being inthe path of incoming aerosol to promote reclassification of aerosol liquid particles both by impingement and prounced changes in direction and velocity of aerosol flow.

4. An aerosol reclassifier comprising, a body having a bore therethrough for passage of aerosol, a plug element mounted within a portion of the bore and having helical threads on its periphery with the threads near one end of the plug element engaging the bore to form with the bore a plurality of elongated aerosol passages, and with the threads near the opposite end of the plug element being spaced from the bore, and a plurality of inwardly extending thread bafiies in the bore spaced from the plug element and between the threads on said opposite end of the plug element to provide a tortuous path for the aerosol flowing out of the elongated passages.`

5. An aerosol reclassifier comprising, a body having a bore therethrough for passage of aerosol, a shoulder in the bore facing upstream so that aerosol particles may impinge thereon and coalesce, a plug element mounted in the bore adjacent and downstream of said shoulder and having helical threads on its periphery with the threads near the upstream end of the plug element engaging the bore to form with the bore a plurality of elongated aerosol passages for directing flow of aerosol in a helical path and at increased velocity yto further cause aerosol particles to coalesce, and with the threads near the downstreamy end of the plug element being spaced from the bore, a plurality of inwardly extending thread bafiies on the interior surface of said bore and positioned between the threads near the downstream end of the plug element to cooperatively provide a tortuous path requiring pronounced changes in direction of aerosol iiow thereover to further coalescev the aerosol particles, and means forming an outlet from the body again changing the velocity of iiow to further coalesce said particles.

6. An aerosol reclassifier comprising, `a body adapted for placement in an aerosol system and having a bore therethrough for reclassification of aerosol particles, an inwardly extending shoulder in the bore in the path of incoming aerosol for coalescing aerosol particles inpinging thereon, a plug element in the bore downstream of said shoulder and having threads dividing the bore into a plurality of elongated helical passages through which the aerosol is constrained to flow for increasing velocity of aerosol flow to further coalesce aerosol particles, a plurality of spaced baliies in the bore downstream of said helical passages for providing pronounced direction changes in the aerosol iiow still further coalescing aerosol particles, and said body having an outlet passage smaller in area than the adjacent bore portion to again change velocityv of aerosol ow causing adidtional coalescence of Vsaid particles upon leaving the body.

(References on following page) 5 References Cited n the le of this patent 2,590,754 UNITED STATES PATENTS ggg 1,086,260 Abels Feb. 3, 1914 1,461,045 Paasche July 10, 1923 6 2,214,658 Browning Sept. 10, 1940 150 089 2,446,882 Morrison Aug. 10, 1948 Cline Mar. 25, 1952 Bonameau Dec. 2, 1952 Gothberg et al June 16, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Mar. 28, 1904 

